Two Akron Players Get Drafted Into MLS

Akron senior defender Robbie Derschang and senior midfielder Eric Stevenson will be the next round of Akron players to join professional soccer as each heard their name called during the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Derschang was chosen with the eighth pick in second round (27th overall) by the Philadelphia Union and Stevenson was chosen seven picks later with the 34th overall pick by the New York Red Bulls.

These two will join defender Bryan Gallego, who agreed to the terms of a Homegrown contract from the Portland Timbers on Jan. 15, in Major League Soccer as the Zips' program continues to bring players onto the professional soccer scene.

The duo will join former Zips Darlington Nagbe, Michael Nanchoff, Will Trapp, Chad Barson and DeAndre Yedlin among others in the MLS.

Derschang was an All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection as a senior after appearing in 20 matches, starting 18 of those and nabbing four goals and one assist playing flexibly as a left back and forward. His last game winning goal clinched the MAC Regular Season Championship against Western Michigan in a 2-1 double-overtime thriller.

Stevenson was an All-Great Lakes Region Third Team member and was voted two-time All-MAC honoree, First Team in 2013 and Second Team in 2012. He finished third on the team with five goal and tied for the second with five assists.

Akron has a lot of success in both the draft in the college soccer as they own the highest winning percentage (.828) in the NCAA since 2006 and the Zips have had at least one player drafted or had them sign a Homegrown Contract with an MLS side in each of the last six years.